Clearance lights
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 376
Likes: 1
From: Tempe, AZ
Seriously though, and technically, only the outer two cab roof lights are clearance lights. The middle three are "identification lights" as defined by USDOT.
The outer two and the side marker lights identify the widest parts of a vehicle, and the middle three tell other drivers the vehicle is wider than 8' 6". In addition, three red identification lights and two red clearance lights are required on the rear of motor vehicles (excepting truck tractors) and trailers wider than 8' 6".
Joe
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 322
Likes: 2
From: Calgary, AB, Canada
Well, they are for height in a sense. If they get knocked off, your truck was too high for what you tried to drive under.
Seriously though, and technically, only the outer two cab roof lights are clearance lights. The middle three are "identification lights" as defined by USDOT.
The outer two and the side marker lights identify the widest parts of a vehicle, and the middle three tell other drivers the vehicle is wider than 8' 6". In addition, three red identification lights and two red clearance lights are required on the rear of motor vehicles (excepting truck tractors) and trailers wider than 8' 6".
Joe
Seriously though, and technically, only the outer two cab roof lights are clearance lights. The middle three are "identification lights" as defined by USDOT.
The outer two and the side marker lights identify the widest parts of a vehicle, and the middle three tell other drivers the vehicle is wider than 8' 6". In addition, three red identification lights and two red clearance lights are required on the rear of motor vehicles (excepting truck tractors) and trailers wider than 8' 6".
Joe
I do have to kinda chuckle about it though. Most of the people on a truck forum don't know exactly what they're for, let alone the general public, so you have to wonder how effective they really are at doing what they're intended to do!
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,946
Likes: 11
From: Northern California
I saw a DRW pass by me last night and while I was looking at the clearance lights, the fenders still stick out on either side obviously wider than the lights on the roof. I did see the light on the fender as well. Like this pic.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 316
Likes: 7
It's a lot cheaper to replace a light or two rather than pay for body work. There's a truck at work that has cab light on the front AND back. In certain situations it could keep your from a hefty bill.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 639
Likes: 1
From: K.C. MO
I measured the height of the tallest part of my roof (with a near empty fuel tank) and then placed a piece of electrical tape at that height (+1") on my radio antenna for a visual check entering parking facilities, fast food joints w/ awnings, garages etc.
Instant clearance height indicator.
Instant clearance height indicator.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
I measured the height of the tallest part of my roof (with a near empty fuel tank) and then placed a piece of electrical tape at that height (+1") on my radio antenna for a visual check entering parking facilities, fast food joints w/ awnings, garages etc.
Instant clearance height indicator.
Instant clearance height indicator.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,094
Likes: 5
From: Central Illinois
P.I.T.S
I like your electrical tape idea!
You gotta watch that over head clearance!
Bank Camera - Not enough clearance - YouTube
I like your electrical tape idea!
You gotta watch that over head clearance!
Bank Camera - Not enough clearance - YouTube
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,946
Likes: 11
From: Northern California
P.I.T.S
I like your electrical tape idea!
You gotta watch that over head clearance!
Bank Camera - Not enough clearance - YouTube
I like your electrical tape idea!
You gotta watch that over head clearance!
Bank Camera - Not enough clearance - YouTube
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,580
Likes: 60
The DOT likes to stack everything up, whatever they can find, and I wonder sometimes if some of it is what they "create".... What are you going to do? Sit and argue with them?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
From: Aurora,CO
I measured the height of the tallest part of my roof (with a near empty fuel tank) and then placed a piece of electrical tape at that height (+1") on my radio antenna for a visual check entering parking facilities, fast food joints w/ awnings, garages etc.
Instant clearance height indicator.
Instant clearance height indicator.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 162
Likes: 25
From: White Lake, MI
They're required on vehicles over 80 inches wide, not including mirrors. Standard on dually, optional on SRW. They did a really nice job of incorporating them into the F150 Raptor (due to the wide fender flares).
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: kentucky
